When Should I Use `delete` vs. `delete[]` in C ?

Understanding the Distinction Between 'delete' and 'delete[]' in C

In C , the 'delete' and 'delete[]' operators serve distinct purposes when it comes to memory management for objects created dynamically using 'new' and 'new[]' respectively. Let's delve into the differences between these operators:

'delete' Operator

The 'delete' operator is employed to deallocate memory for a single object instantiated with 'new'. Additionally, it invokes the destructor function for that object, ensuring proper resource cleanup and destruction.

MyClass* myObject = new MyClass();
// ...
delete myObject; // Deallocate memory and call the destructor

'delete[]' Operator

In contrast to 'delete', the 'delete[]' operator is reserved for deallocating memory assigned to an array of objects created with 'new[]'. It not only deallocates memory but also calls the destructors for each element within the array:

MyClass* myArray = new MyClass[size];
// ...
delete[] myArray; // Deallocate memory and call destructors for each element

Crucial Distinction: Target Object Type

The fundamental distinction between 'delete' and 'delete[]' lies in the type of object they target. 'delete' is designed for single objects, while 'delete[]' specifically deals with arrays of objects.

Misusing these operators can lead to undefined behavior. For instance, attempting to use 'delete' on an array pointer obtained from 'new[]' or 'delete[]' on a pointer generated by 'new' is strongly discouraged.

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